Wrong Ride Height

[Alpine06]

Hello,
After reading how the airbag pressure can influence the corner weight I got motivated to check the ride hight.
To my surprise I am 40mm higher in the front than the specified 262mm.
I tried to lower the front by using the adjustability in the arm but that was not enough especially because the front left arm was already at the limit.
The linkage rod is not adjustable so I think that the tabs that got welded on must have been off by that much.
Looking at adjustable rods I find these online.


I can make and enjoy making things so I took the arms off cut 20mm out of the center and machined a steel sleeve that will provide full adjustability.

[Alpine06]

Here the sleeve I am cutting M3 Threads in to fasten the linkage rod in place.

[Alpine06]

This is the finished left (short) and right linkage rod.
I set the initial length 2 mm shorter than the original to start with.
All still need to be painted.

[wolfe10]

Here is what I installed-- they come in two lengths with a LOT of easy adjustment within each length:


https://www.heightcontrolvalve.com/shopexd.asp?id=109

[Alpine06]

Yes your post gave me actually the idea to simply put a sleeve in-between.

[Alpine06]

... I also noticed that the right valve has quite a bit of hysteresis as I am not able to hit the mark. I have it now to about 3mm on the right side and I will leave it sit for a moment and see how it comes to rest.
You think there is no adjustment anymore from the valve but an easy check is to put you finger on the exhaust tube for a few seconds ... several times I caught it still exhausting even though I thought it was in its final position.

[Alpine06]

[Alpine06]

I just finished the adjustments.
The best way I found to take out the possibility that one valve starts to shut off from lets say the top while another one was just adjusted from the bottom (or if you look at the valve one would be clock wise the other counter clock wise) I used the following method:
1. Adjust control rod as necessary longer / shorter
2. Turn on ACC
2. Turn HWH leveling system ON (only one press)
3. Push the dump valve for one sec to lower all air bags
4. The coach will raise again
5. Let it settle for 3-5 min this is important as it takes this amount of time for a valve to fully close.

Using this method I was able to adjust all the valves coming from the bottom up to the correct height. This eliminated the hysteresis of the valve and hopefully makes for a more accurate setting.

The rear driver side was off by 1/2" and that arm had enough adjustment in it to get it to 7.5"
Honestly I thought this project would take me a couple of hours but it took all day. I hope the corner weight shakes out within a couple of hundred pounds.
Joerg

[Old Scout]

….just my opinion here but think I would focus on 4-corner weight distribution and overall level of the coach [eg side to side and front to back] while on suspension vs worrying about the last millimeter of height adjustment on the air bags.....the height spec is just a guide to ensure the air bags are adjusted within their normal range or motion....my experience is that a lot of weight can be shifted from corner to corner and across the axles with little or no change in the actual ride height.....accordingly, you can be "spot on" with regard to height spec and be way off on weight distribution....right now, my 2003 is within 250lbs of balance on the front axle and 500lbs on the rear axle....

[Alpine06]

Originally Posted by Old Scout

….just my opinion here but think I would focus on 4-corner weight distribution and overall level of the coach [eg side to side and front to back] while on suspension vs worrying about the last millimeter of height adjustment on the air bags.....the height spec is just a guide to ensure the air bags are adjusted within their normal range or motion....my experience is that a lot of weight can be shifted from corner to corner and across the axles with little or no change in the actual ride height.....accordingly, you can be "spot on" with regard to height spec and be way off on weight distribution....right now, my 2003 is within 250lbs of balance on the front axle and 500lbs on the rear axle....

My hope is that I do not have to do several re-weights at the scale.
Seeing how the valves act I can see how this can get everything out of whack.
If weather plays and there is enough room to the side of the scale I will have the weight results tomorrow.
My coach looked always low on the rear driver side now it is good. And I consider 40mm difference out of spec. it also makes the ride stiffer.
Joerg